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Reflected back at me, I can see myself in enormous shimmering pantaloons, visible just for my eyes. Children sit in a water feature imitating sea nymphs, while nearby rests a speaking vegetable in a showcase, beside a tall stack of cushions. It embodies the world of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), a leading nineteenth-century's most beloved storytellers. I’m in this Danish town, situated in the island of Fyn in the southern region of the Danish kingdom, to explore the writer's lasting influence in his birthplace a century and a half after his demise, and to experience a handful of fairytales of my own.

The Museum: The Andersen Museum

HC Andersens Hus is the local museum dedicated to the author, incorporating his original residence. A curator states that in previous versions of the museum there was little focus on his fairytales. His personal history was examined, but The Little Mermaid were missing. For guests who travel to the city looking for narrative enchantment, it was not quite enough.

The renovation of downtown Odense, diverting a major road, made it possible to reconsider how the renowned native could be commemorated. A major architecture competition awarded Japanese firm the renowned designers the commission, with the curators’ new approach at the core of the design. The remarkable wooden museum with connected curving spaces opened to much acclaim in 2021. “Our goal was to build a place where we avoid discussing Andersen, but we talk like the storyteller: with humour, irony and perspective,” notes the curator. The outdoor spaces follow this philosophy: “The outdoor area for strollers and for large beings, it's created to give you a sense of smallness,” he explains, a goal achieved by thoughtful gardening, manipulating elevation, proportion and many winding paths in a unexpectedly limited space.

Andersen's Impact

Andersen wrote two and a half autobiographies and often provided conflicting accounts. HC Andersens Hus takes this approach fully; typically the perspectives of his friends or excerpts of written messages are displayed to politely doubt the his narrative of happenings. “Andersen is the guide, but he's untrustworthy,” says the expert. The outcome is a compelling rapid journey of Andersen’s life and art, mental approaches and favorite tales. It’s stimulating and playful, for adults and kids, with a bonus underground make-believe land, the pretend town, for the smallest guests.

Discovering the City

Back in the real world, the modest urban center of this Danish city is picturesque, with cobbled streets and traditional Danish homes finished in cheerful shades. The Andersen legacy is ubiquitous: the road indicators show the writer with his distinctive top hat, bronze footmarks provide a no-cost guided stroll, and there’s a art walk too. Annually in August this commitment peaks with the annual HC Andersen festival, which honors the writer's impact through art, performance, theatre and music.

This year, the multi-day festival had numerous performances, many were complimentary. As I explore this place, I meet painted stilt-walkers, spooky creatures and an writer impersonator sharing tales. I hear empowering poetry and see an incredible late-night performance including acrobatic dancers coming down from the municipal structure and suspended from a mechanical arm. Still to come this year are lectures, creative sessions for all ages and, broadening the oral history past the author, the city’s annual enchantment celebration.

Each wonderful enchanted locations need a fortress, and the island contains over a hundred manors and manor houses around the area

Pedaling Through History

Like most of Denmark, bicycles are the best way to navigate in Odense and a “bicycle route” curves through the urban core. Departing from the local hotel, I cycle to the public port-side aquatic facility, then beyond the city for a circuit around Stige Island, a tiny landmass joined by a bridge to the mainland. Local inhabitants have outdoor meals here in the evening, or take pleasure in a peaceful time fishing, water sports or swimming.

In town, I visit a local eatery, where the menu is inspired by Andersen themes and narratives. The poem the patriotic piece is highlighted when I visit, and proprietor the host reads extracts, rendered in English, as he presents each course. Such encounters frequent in my visit, the island inhabitants appreciate narratives and it feels as though sharing tales is continuously available here.

Castle Explorations

Every excellent enchanted locations need a palace, and Fyn contains numerous historic homes and stately homes across the island. Traveling briefly from the city, I tour the historic fortress, the region's finely maintained historic fortress. Although large sections are available for tours, the castle is also the personal dwelling of the aristocratic owners and his spouse, the princess. I wonder if she would notice a tiny vegetable through a pile of {mattresses